Crossing guard loves her job and ‘her’ kids
Candy Dougall truly has a job she loves. Of course, she would love about any job as long as it involved working with children. Not only is she employed by the Coeur d’Alene School District as a paid crossing guard, but she also volunteers in her spare time at Fernan Elementary, assisting in grading papers, helping with special-needs students, or wherever else she is needed.
In her paid job, she herds flocks of noisy Ramsey Elementary students through a busy intersection every school day, regardless of weather conditions, safely guiding them on their way to school. By the cheerful greetings and smiles from students, she must be doing a good job. One senior citizen feels the same way and anonymously leaves a gift each month at the school for Dougall. She explains, “He says it’s for me being a good person and doing a good job.”
Idaho law requires that motorists comply with directions from crossing guards – the same authority given to law enforcement officers and firefighters directing traffic. In addition to wearing a bright orange vest and holding a stop sign, Dougall carries a whistle and cell phone to get the attention, or to report, motorists endangering “her” kids. She hasn’t needed either so far, finding most drivers courteous.
Admitting to being in her 40s, Dougall graduated from Post Falls High School and is the mother of two boys. She operated a day care in her home for five years and served on playground duty before becoming a crossing guard. Her ultimate goal is to find more employment within the school district, or even to become a full-time school employee.
What is your job title? “Crossing guard.”
How long have you been doing this? “This is my fourth year.”
How did you choose this line of work? “I like kids, and when I was taking certification courses to operate a day care, I became interested in working with kids. I started out volunteering at Fernan Elementary, then became a crossing guard.”
Are you paid: (a) well; (b) more than you are worth; (c) slave wages, (d) could be better? “It could be better, as with most wages in this area.”
What is the best thing about your job? “The kids – I love them and love seeing them grow up.”
What is the worst thing about your job? “When school gets out for the year – I’ll miss the kids.”
Do you plan on doing this job (a) until retirement; (b) until something better comes along? “I will do it until I get tired of it.”
Do you have any on-the-job funny stories? “Some of the kids like to sneak up on me in the morning to give me a scare – before I’m totally awake. The kids are all funny.”
Any bad experiences? “I haven’t had any problems. The signal lights change much too quick and it’s hard to get them across before the light changes. I would like the public to go slow and watch for the kids, especially when the streets are icy.”
If there was a movie made about you and your job, what actor should play you? “I don’t have a favorite, as I don’t watch much TV.”